Scientist claims music has a ‘digital seasoning’ effect on food

Oxford academic Charles Spence claims that music can have a “digital seasoning” effect by making certain foods taste better.

According to Professor Spence, music can trick the mind into thinking food tastes different through the process of “digital seasoning” and lead to an increase of 15% more pleasure if music matches the wine.

In support of his claims, Professor Spence conducted an experiment in which people who ate the same chocolate found it to be more bitter when somber music was played and sweeter when accompanied by lighter, more uplifting music.

Professor Spence says that certain sounds match certain flavours as our ears can unconsciously inform our taste buds. For example, he claims that bitterness works with deep tones while sourness is best matched by high-pitched sounds.